Four doctoral candidates at Cornell were recently inducted into the Cornell chapter of the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society.

The 2013 Bouchet fellows are: Chavez Carter, in the field of immunology and infectious disease and winner of the Yale Diversity Conference for best oral presentation in a natural or physical science; Christian Guzman, in the field of biological and environmental engineering; Michael Mitchell, in biomedical engineering; and Luisa Rosas, in the field of French literature.

The scholars were inducted at the annual Yale Bouchet Conference on Diversity and Graduate Education held April 19-20 at Yale University.

The Bouchet Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. Its network of pre-eminent scholars exemplifies academic and personal excellence, character, service and advocacy for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy.

"The four scholars were chosen because they embody the qualities of Edward A. Bouchet – outstanding scholarship coupled with a sincere commitment to community service and outreach," said Sheri R. Notaro, associate dean for inclusion and professional development in the Graduate School, who coordinates the Cornell chapter of the Bouchet Society.

Notaro; Christine Holmes, director of Cornell’s Office of Postdoctoral Studies; and Cindy Grey, events and program coordinator, prepared the chosen scholars by hosting a session Feb. 14, "How To Get the Most From the Bouchet Conference," which focused on networking and presentation skills.

Notaro noted that Cornell sponsors ongoing professional development opportunities for all graduate students through the Office of Inclusion and Professional Development. “This is not just a one-time award, but an ongoing community-building and professional development opportunity,” she said.

Yale and Howard universities established the Bouchet Society in 2005 to recognize the life and academic contributions of Bouchet, the first African-American to earn a doctorate from a U.S. university. He earned a doctorate in physics from Yale in 1876.